Survey: Session Survey 2001

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Session:
State Capitol, Room 501
Juneau, AK 99801-1182
Toll Free: (800) 892-4843
Phone: (907) 465-4843
Fax: (907) 465-3871
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District 18 & Education Committee Info

Interim:
716 W 4th Avenue, Suite 410
Anchorage, AK 99501-2133
Phone: (907) 269-0181
Fax: (907) 269-0184

For Immediate Release:

February 5, 2001

Dear District 18 Residents:

The first session of the Twenty-second Alaska State Legislature began on January 8th. I am proud to be representing your interests in the Capitol again. I promise to do my best to honor the trust you have placed in me.

As part of my commitment to keep you and your neighbors in District 18 informed about what is happening down here in Juneau, I am writing to share the news with you and to seek your input. The enclosed survey asks your opinion about a wide variety of issues. Please take a moment to fill it out and return it to me -- your input makes the democratic process work!

Communicating with Me in Juneau:

In addition to my regular session newsletter and survey, my Legislative Updates -- e-mail messages to District 18 residents -- are providing many of you with up-to-date information about what is happening in the Legislature. I have found that it is an effective way for me to communicate with you and get your feedback. If you have not yet signed up for these updates and would like me to add you to the list, please check the box on the survey. My previous Updates and my privacy policy are posted on my website at www.akrepublicans.org/Bunde.htm.

As always, I can best represent you if you will let me know your concerns and opinions. If you don't care to participate in Legislative Update, you can always contact me by phone, fax, regular e-mail, U.S. mail, or by the Public Opinion Message system through the Legislative Information Office at 269-0111.

Legislature on TV:

"Gavel to Gavel", the "C-Span" of the Alaska Capitol, is again broadcasting coverage of legislative activities on GCI Cable Channel 46 in Anchorage. Tune in to see what's happening! If you would like to see if "Gavel to Gavel" will be covering a meeting in which you have an interest, check out their website at www.ktoo.org/gavel/ or call 907-586-1670.

Legislature on the Web:

If you are looking for information about bills, committee meetings, the state budget, or any other legislative topic, finding it is just a "click" away. Just go to www.legis.state.ak.us. You can also connect to websites for Legislative Finance, Legislative Budget and Audit, the State Ombudsman, and the web pages for the Majority and Minority. These links have information about how to track bills and committee meetings, find out about legislators, and learn how to read a bill or understand the state's budget. This is a non-partisan website, and I highly recommend it!

Another excellent website is the Republican Majority's at www.akrepublicans.org. Here, you can take a poll by clicking on the button at the bottom of the page, or sign up for a free Legislative E-News Subscription. You can also "Research the Issues" to access all sorts of information -- statutes, the Alaska Constitution, committee hearing minutes from this session and sessions past, etc.

At the state's website, www.state.ak.us, are links to state departments where you can see what they are doing for you. You can fill out your fishing license application, or get the status of your PFD payment, among other useful things. The internet is bringing Alaskans closer together, and there is a treasure trove of information about your state government on these pages. If you can't find what you're looking for, give me a call and I'll be glad to get it to you.

The State Budget:

I am continuing my service as Vice-chair of the House Finance Committee. As always, my goal will be to ensure that you are getting the services you want with the most efficient use of state funding.

The State of Alaska is getting a breather this fiscal year with a slight surplus due to the unexpectedly high price of oil and the past five years of fiscal restraint. However, projections for next fiscal year call for a $500 million or greater deficit. Possible solutions include increased corporate taxes, re-instituted personal taxes, use of the Earnings Reserve of the Permanent Fund, further budget cuts, and/or economic growth.

Obviously, no one item will solve a $500 million problem. The Legislature continues to try to craft a combination of options that will both balance our budget and have support from the general public. With that in mind, as always, I seek your council and advice.

My Other Roles in the Legislature:

I am also the Chairman of the new House Special Committee on Education. Many of the thorny education issues will be referred to this committee, such as the High School Competency Test and increased funding for K-12 education. Other legislation, such as student loan forgiveness and school vouchers, have also been referred to the committee. For up-to-date information about bills referred to the committee, please go to the Legislature's Bill Action and Status Inquiry System (BASIS), at http://www.legis.state.ak.us/basis/, choose "Bills/Resolutions in Committee" and then click on "Special Committee on Education". If you then click on the bill number, you will find all the information about that bill.

So far, the committee has held a statewide teleconference on the Competency Test to give people from across Alaska the opportunity to express their questions and concerns. Nearly 100 people testified via teleconference and many more sent in written testimony. Many expressed concerns that schools have not had the time or funding to adequately prepare students for the Competency Test. Others feel that the math portion may be too difficult or that students will be unfairly penalized if they are not able to pass the test and receive a diploma. Quite a number, however, expressed support for standards and argued that there should be no delay in implementing the requirements.

My committee will continue to hold hearings on the Competency Test, and the Governor's bill calling for a delay -- HB 94.

Legislation I'm Working on for District 18:

HB 13, "An Act relating to municipal service areas and providing for voter approval of the formation, alteration, or abolishment of certain service areas" is, as many of you may know, my bill to protect Local Road Service Areas (LRSAs) and Fire Service Areas (FSAs) from being abolished or altered without the consent of those residing in that LRSA or FSA.

This legislation passed out of the House Community and Regional Affairs Committee on January 30th. HB 13 will be heard again by the House Judiciary Committee on February 14th. Then it is on to the House Finance Committee.

Thank you all for your letters and e-mails in support of HB 13. Please keep them coming. House Bill 13 is a controversial piece of legislation that is being opposed by the Alaska Municipal League, the state Administration, and the Anchorage Administration. We will have to work very hard with road and fire service area members throughout the state to secure its passage. However, with your continued help I feel we will ultimately prevail.

Again, thank you for the opportunity to represent you. If you have any questions or concerns about the budget, legislation pending before the Legislature, state services, or any other issue, please contact me. I will be pleased to assist you. And please, don't forget to fill out and return the attached survey. Your opinion counts!

Sincerely,

Con

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Attachments:

Session Survey 2001
requires Adobe Acrobat Reader - 2 page(s) - 96 K

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